LIST
OF DEFERRED RECOMMENDATIONS
In
the reasons for deferred recommendations below non-acceptance means not accepted
for implementation even though the principle of the recommendation is acceptable
(a) pre-primary education in the form of a school readiness programme should be established by the Government as part of the overall education structure.
(b)
universal access to pre-primary education should be achieved within 25
years but implementation of the programme
should start immediately.
Reasons for Acceptance:
Extended
provision of pre-primary education as a more effective school readiness
programme than has hitherto been the case with the day care programmes is
appreciated. However, there are concerns about lack of capacity by Government to
take over pre-primary education into the mainstream of education considering the
huge resources that would be required in order to meet the proposed targets.
Government already has a heavy load in meeting the various needs of primary
education. Therefore, priority should rather be given to further development of
primary education in terms of infrastructural provision and improvement of the
quality of instruction. Government will however, create an enabling environment
for effective pre-primary education to be offered, i.e. the Ministry of
Education will provide the necessary professional guidance and assistance.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC.8
[para. 3.5.7] The Commission recommends that:
(a) the duration of pre-primary education should be two years.
(b)
the minimum entry age to pre-primary education should be two years.
(c)
there should be two intakes in one year to allow children who turn 4
years at the beginning of the academic year to be admitted.
Reasons
for Non-Acceptance:
This
recommendation falls away in view of the non-acceptance of recommendation 7.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC.
9 [para. 3.6.5] The
Commission recommends that:
c)
the Social Welfare and Community Development Unit in the Ministry of
Labour and Home Affairs
should continue to supervise the day care centre programme.
d)
the Councils should be given the responsibility to provide
infrastructural facilities for
pre-primary education units in the same manner as they do for primary
schools.
Reasons
for Non-Acceptance:
c)
Since the Ministry of Education will be providing the necessary
professional guidance for all
pre-primary education, there is no need for the Ministry of Labour and Home
Affairs to supervise Day Care Centres.
d)
The need for this recommendation falls away as a result of the
non-acceptance of Recommendation 7.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC.
10 [para. 3.7.3] The
Commission recommends that:
a)
as a general rule pre-primary units should be located on the same
premises as primary
schools but with identifiably separate facilities.
b)
where this is not possible pre-primary units should be established as
close to primary
schools as possible.
c)
private bodies may be given exemption to operate pre-schools which are
not attached
to primary schools.
Reasons
for Non-Acceptance:
The
need for this Recommendation falls away as a result of non-acceptance of
Recommendation 7.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC.
12 [para. 3.9.5] With respect
to the language of instruction, the Commission recommends that:
a) children in pre-primary schools should be taught in the language dominant in the area where the school is located. English and Setswana should be introduced gradually.
b)
private pre-primary schools may adopt the above language policy or may
use either
of the official languages as the medium of instruction.
Reasons
for Non-Acceptance:
The
need for this recommendation falls away as a result of non-acceptance of
Recommendation 7. Furthermore, the proposed policy on the language of
instruction is contrary to national language policy.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC. 13 [para. 3.10.3] With respect to class size, the Commission recommends that:
a)
the class size at the pre-primary level should not exceed 25.
b)
each class should have one attendant to assist the teacher.
Reasons
for Non-Acceptance:
The
need for this Recommendation falls away as a result of non-acceptance of
Recommendation 7.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC.
18 [para. 4.7.31] With respect
to the teaching of languages in primary school, the Commission recommends
that:
e)
where parents request that other local languages be taught to their
children, the school
should make arrangements to teach them as a co-curricular activity.
Reasons
for Non-Acceptance:
The
recommendation may result in undue pressure on schools to offer the various
languages spoken in Botswana, whereas the schools may lack the capacity to do so
and the education system would not be able to support such a development.
Further, it is contrary to national language policy.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC.
118 [para. 11.6.3] With respect to
Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs), the Commission recommends that:
b) the Government should implement a grant system which supplements the funds raised by PTAs. This should consist of:
i) a
matching grant which is equal to the amount raised by the PTA, with an
upper limit;
ii) a
special once-off grant to encourage the formation of a PTA where none has
existed in the previous three years.
c)
a District/Town level PTA should be elected from the school PTAs in each
local authority area as an umbrella
organisation. District/Town PTA meetings should be
held at least bi-annually with the relevant senior education staff in
attendance and should
be convened by the head of the district education office.
d)
a National PTA should be elected from the District/Town PTAs. The
National PTA
meeting should be held annually and should be convened and chaired by the
Minister of Education.
Reasons
for Non-Acceptance:
The
recommendations are not accepted on the basis of their potential administrative
and cost implications considering in particular the large number of schools
involved. PTAs cannot be subsidized because firstly, education is free and
therefore there is need for parents and the communities to make some
contributions towards the education of their children. This can be achieved
through PTA activities. Contribution of funds by Government would therefore
destroy the spirit of self reliance and community initiative. Secondly,
administration of a matching grant system would be an impossible task as the
budget for the matching funds cannot be accurately estimated given the varying
amounts that any PTA could raise at any time of the year.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC.
126 [para. 12.5.5] With respect to
pre-primary education, the Commission recommends that:
a)
Government should bear the cost of providing infrastructure and running
expenses for pre-primary units.
b) the implementation of the pre-primary programme should be spread over 25 years.
c)
communities should hire and pay salaries of attendants. Alternatively,
parents could
participate as attendants on a rotational basis.
d)
communities should also provide materials needed for play activities.
Reasons for Non-Acceptance:
These recommendations are not accepted as a consequence of non-acceptance of Recommendation 7. However, it is expected that communities will, through such organisations as PTAs, take the lead in extending school readiness programmes.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC.
131 [para. 12.5.43] With respect to
out-of school education, the Commission recommends that:
a)
out-of-school education to the level of JC (basic education) should be
free for those
who have not benefited from such education.
Reasons for Non-Acceptance:
There are adequate opportunities for children of school-going age to attend formal schooling. Those who drop out and later wish to complete their basic education through out-of-school modes should pay.
Recommendation
Reads:
REC.
134 [para. 12.5.52] The Commission recommends
that:
a) privately sponsored Batswana students pursuing tertiary courses in areas critical to the economy should be subsidized in accordance with the grant/Loan Scheme.
Reasons
for Non-Acceptance:
There
is provision for Government sponsorship for courses critical to the economy at
both local and overseas institutions. Thus students who qualify for Government
bursary awards but prefer to be privately sponsored at institutions of their own
choice and at their own convenience should not be subsidized. The level of
Government bursaries is determined, among others, on the basis of what
affordable. An open system such as the one recommended could increase cost
beyond the ability of Government of finance.